ELSA / Emotional Literacy Support Assistant

AWD Online; Southampton; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academy trust in Hedge End, Southampton, seeks an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant to work closely with students, ensuring their emotional wellbeing through direct support and Forest School activities. Applicants must possess an ELSA qualification and demonstrate a nurturing approach to education. The role offers competitive pay and various professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Ongoing CPD opportunities

Supportive pastoral team

Workplace Pension Scheme

Competitive salary and benefits package

Free on-site parking

Membership discount at on-site Leisure Centre

Qualifications

• Must have experience working with children/young people in educational settings.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively is essential.
• A calm, empathetic, and nurturing approach is crucial for the role.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality ELSA sessions tailored to students' needs.
• Run engaging Forest School activities to promote resilience and wellbeing.
• Support students experiencing anxiety, friendship issues, and bereavement.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

Nurturing

Education

ELSA qualification

Forest School training

Job description

Emotional Literacy Support Assistant who is ELSA trained, and can connect with students with warmth, empathy and consistency is required to be a Forest School Champion at a thriving secondary school within a well-established Academy Trust based in Hedge End, Southampton, Hampshire.

Forest School Training provided – If you already have Forest School experience then great! If not, you must be willing to undergo the relevant training

SALARY: £26,818 per annum FTE / Actual Salary £23,001 (based on 37 hours per week term time only) + Benefits (see below)

LOCATION: Hedge End, Southampton, Hampshire

JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent (Term Time Only)

WORKING HOURS: 37 hours per week, Monday to Thursday 8:00am – 4:00pm and Friday 8:00am – 3:00pm, Term Time Only (39 Weeks) - Flexibility for less hours and start/finish times can be accommodated for the right candidate

JOB OVERVIEW

Are you passionate about emotional wellbeing, creative interventions, and the magic of the outdoors?

Do you believe in nurturing the whole child and helping young people build resilience, confidence, and connection?

If so, please read on!

We have a fantastic new opportunity for an Emotional Literacy Support Assistantwho is ELSA trained, and can connect with students with warmth, empathy and consistency.

As the dedicated Emotional Literacy Support Assistant you will ideally have Forest School expertise – but if not, you will have the willingness to undertake the relevant training to become a vital part of the pastoral team.

This is a unique and rewarding role for an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant to work 1:1 and in small groups to support students’ emotional development, whether that’s through a calming mindfulness session, a chat around a campfire, or structured interventions for anxiety, self-esteem, and more.

DUTIES

Your duties as Emotional Literacy Support Assistant include:

• Deliver high-quality ELSA sessions tailored to students' needs

• Run engaging Forest School activities that promote resilience and wellbeing

• Support students experiencing anxiety, friendship issues, bereavement, and more

• Be a go-to adult offering kindness, structure, and strategies to thrive

• Work closely with families, teaching staff, and external agencies

• Help shape the whole-school wellbeing culture

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

Essential

• ELSA qualification (or willingness to undertake ELSA training)

• Forest School Trained (or willingness to undertake this training)

• Experience working with children/young people in an educational setting

• Ability to work independently and as part of a wider team

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Empathetic, calm, and nurturing approach

Desirable

• Experience in a secondary school environment

• Knowledge of mental health, SEND, and child development

• First Aid or mental health training (e.g. Youth Mental Health First Aid)

• Drawing and talking trained

• Understanding of safeguarding procedures in schools

The successful candidate will receive:

• A supportive and passionate pastoral team
• Ongoing supervision and CPD opportunities
• Opportunities to help shape the wellbeing and inclusion vision
• A school culture that genuinely values emotional development as much as academic progress

BENEFITS

• Welcoming, supportive, friendly and sociable colleagues
• A competitive salary and benefits package
• Excellent Continuing Professional Development with high quality CPD program
• The opportunity to work within a supportive and collaborative team
• Ongoing training and development and opportunities for career progression
• Free large on-site car park
• Good transport links
• Workplace Pension Scheme
• An amazing rate for staff membership at the modern on-site Leisure Centre
• A tax efficient Cycle-to-Work scheme through salary sacrifice

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The school will ensure that all their recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service / DBS checks along with other relevant employment checks.

We reserve the right to close any of our vacancies early.

APPLY TODAY…

By submitting your job application to us you are hereby giving us your express consent to submit your details to our Client for this purpose.

JOB REF: AWDO-P13515

Full-Time, Permanent Jobs, Careers and Vacancies. Find a new job and work in Hedge End, Southampton, Hampshire. Multi-Job Board Advertising and CV Sourcing Recruitment Services provided by AWD online.

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